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UPBOUND GROUP, INC. - Quarter Report: 2020 September (Form 10-Q)


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549 
Form 10-Q
☒QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2020
or 
☐TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from             to             
Commission File Number: 001-38047
Rent-A-Center, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware45-0491516
(State or other jurisdiction of(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)Identification No.)
5501 Headquarters Drive
Plano, Texas 75024
(Address, including zip code of registrant’s principal executive offices)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 972-801-1100
Not Applicable
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each classTrading SymbolName of each exchange on which registered
Common stock, $.01 par valueRCIIThe Nasdaq Stock Market
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.   Yes ☒    No   ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes   ☒    No   ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer☒Accelerated filer☐
Non-accelerated filer☐Smaller reporting company☐
Emerging Growth Company☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes   ☐   No   ☒
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of October 22, 2020:
ClassOutstanding
Common stock, $.01 par value54,170,466



TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
  Page No.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019
 


i

Item 1. Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
RENT-A-CENTER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
 
 Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
 2020201920202019
(In thousands, except per share data)
Revenues
Store
Rentals and fees$579,573 $550,795 $1,682,310 $1,665,829 
Merchandise sales91,233 65,552 300,693 240,864 
Installment sales16,580 16,952 48,970 49,658 
Other844 1,054 2,341 2,962 
Total store revenues688,230 634,353 2,034,314 1,959,313 
Franchise
Merchandise sales19,069 11,178 49,553 30,307 
Royalty income and fees4,716 3,840 13,833 12,370 
Total revenues712,015 649,371 2,097,700 2,001,990 
Cost of revenues
Store
Cost of rentals and fees167,027 161,971 489,606 473,001 
Cost of merchandise sold95,177 70,575 296,894 250,000 
Cost of installment sales5,713 5,527 16,830 16,133 
Total cost of store revenues267,917 238,073 803,330 739,134 
Franchise cost of merchandise sold19,070 11,302 49,632 29,923 
Total cost of revenues286,987 249,375 852,962 769,057 
Gross profit425,028 399,996 1,244,738 1,232,933 
Operating expenses
Store expenses
Labor150,493 158,666 434,216 473,221 
Other store expenses140,818 150,366 463,292 463,385 
General and administrative expenses41,576 34,364 113,694 105,822 
Depreciation and amortization
13,810 14,894 43,071 45,788 
Other (gains) and charges(1,856)2,859 7,768 (41,308)
Total operating expenses344,841 361,149 1,062,041 1,046,908 
Operating profit80,187 38,847 182,697 186,025 
Debt refinancing charges— 2,168 — 2,168 
Interest expense3,350 6,733 11,958 26,214 
Interest income(152)(85)(561)(2,956)
Earnings before income taxes76,989 30,031 171,300 160,599 
Income tax expense (benefit)12,959 (1,246)19,485 27,544 
Net earnings$64,030 $31,277 $151,815 $133,055 
Basic earnings per common share$1.19 $0.57 $2.80 $2.46 
Diluted earnings per common share$1.15 $0.56 $2.73 $2.39 
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

1

RENT-A-CENTER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)
 
 Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
 2020201920202019
(In thousands)
Net earnings$64,030 $31,277 $151,815 $133,055 
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax of $162 and $(91), $(872) and $(11) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively
609 (344)(3,280)(40)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)609 (344)(3,280)(40)
Comprehensive income$64,639 $30,933 $148,535 $133,015 
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

2

RENT-A-CENTER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 
September 30, 2020December 31, 2019
(In thousands, except share and par value data)Unaudited
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents$227,398 $70,494 
Receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $7,916 and $5,601 in 2020 and 2019, respectively
75,471 84,123 
Prepaid expenses and other assets40,172 46,043 
Rental merchandise, net
On rent680,955 697,270 
Held for rent119,903 138,418 
Merchandise held for installment sale4,287 4,878 
Property assets, net of accumulated depreciation of $550,958 and $522,826 in 2020 and 2019, respectively
145,298 166,138 
Operating lease right-of-use assets280,845 281,566 
Deferred tax asset14,889 14,889 
Goodwill70,217 70,217 
Other intangible assets, net8,130 8,762 
Total assets$1,667,565 $1,582,798 
LIABILITIES
Accounts payable – trade$176,304 $168,120 
Accrued liabilities305,919 275,777 
Operating lease liabilities283,784 285,041 
Deferred tax liability168,622 163,984 
Senior debt, net
190,599 230,913 
Total liabilities1,125,228 1,123,835 
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 250,000,000 shares authorized; 112,023,559 and 111,166,229 shares issued in September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively
1,103 1,110 
Additional paid-in capital878,965 869,617 
Retained earnings1,051,760 947,875 
Treasury stock at cost, 57,889,659 and 56,428,482 shares in September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively
(1,375,541)(1,348,969)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(13,950)(10,670)
Total stockholders' equity542,337 458,963 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity$1,667,565 $1,582,798 
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

3

RENT-A-CENTER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Unaudited)
 Common StockAdditional
Paid-In
Capital		Retained
Earnings		Treasury
Stock		Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) IncomeTotal
SharesAmount
 (In thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2019111,166 $1,110 $869,617 $947,875 $(1,348,969)$(10,670)$458,963 
Adoption of ASU 2016-13— — — (769)— — (769)
Net earnings— — — 49,292 — — 49,292 
Other comprehensive loss— — — — — (3,906)(3,906)
Purchase of treasury stock— (14)— — (26,511)— (26,525)
Exercise of stock options69 1 1,194 — — — 1,195 
Vesting of restricted share units434 4 (4)— — — — 
Tax effect of stock awards vested and options exercised— — (5,270)— — — (5,270)
Stock-based compensation— — 3,043 — — — 3,043 
Balance at March 31, 2020111,669 $1,101 $868,580 $996,398 $(1,375,480)$(14,576)$476,023 
Net earnings— — — 38,493 — — 38,493 
Other comprehensive income— — — — — 17 17 
Exercise of stock options42 — 486 — — — 486 
Stock-based compensation— — 2,849 — — — 2,849 
Dividends declared— — — (31,292)— — (31,292)
Balance at June 30, 2020111,711 $1,101 $871,915 $1,003,599 $(1,375,480)$(14,559)$486,576 
Net earnings— — — 64,030 — — 64,030 
Other comprehensive income— — — — — 609 609 
Purchase of treasury stock— — — — (61)— (61)
Exercise of stock options226 2 4,053 — — — 4,055 
MP Acquisition Share Release
87 — — — — — — 
Stock-based compensation— — 2,997 — — — 2,997 
Dividends declared— — — (15,869)— — (15,869)
Balance at September 30, 2020112,024 $1,103 $878,965 $1,051,760 $(1,375,541)$(13,950)$542,337 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


4

RENT-A-CENTER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY - (Continued)
(Unaudited)
 Common StockAdditional
Paid-In
Capital		Retained
Earnings		Treasury
Stock		Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)Total
SharesAmount
 (In thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2018109,910 $1,099 $838,436 $805,924 $(1,347,677)$(11,265)$286,517 
ASC 842 adoption— — — (1,976)— — (1,976)
Net earnings— — — 7,323 — — 7,323 
Other comprehensive income— — — — — 521 521 
Exercise of stock options284 3 2,889 — — — 2,892 
Vesting of restricted share units218 2 (2)— — — — 
Tax effect of stock awards vested and options exercised— — (1,734)— — — (1,734)
Stock-based compensation— — 709 — — — 709 
Balance at March 31, 2019110,412 $1,104 $840,298 $811,271 $(1,347,677)$(10,744)$294,252 
Net earnings— — — 94,455 — — 94,455 
Other comprehensive loss— — — — — (217)(217)
Exercise of stock options101 1 1,417 — — — 1,418 
Vesting of restricted share units49 — — — — — — 
Stock-based compensation— — 1,982 — — — 1,982 
Balance at June 30, 2019110,562 $1,105 $843,697 $905,726 $(1,347,677)$(10,961)$391,890 
Net loss— — — 31,277 — — 31,277 
Other comprehensive loss— — — — — (344)(344)
Exercise of stock options105 1 1,502 — — — 1,503 
Stock-based compensation— — 1,952 — — — 1,952 
Dividends Declared— — — (13,707)— — (13,707)
MP Acquisition439 4 19,165 — — — 19,169 
September 30, 2019111,106 $1,110 $866,316 $923,296 $(1,347,677)$(11,305)$431,740 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


5

RENT-A-CENTER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
 
 Nine Months Ended September 30,
 20202019
(In thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities
Net earnings$151,815 $133,055 
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities
Depreciation of rental merchandise471,530 455,143 
Bad debt expense10,959 11,591 
Stock-based compensation expense8,889 4,644 
Depreciation of property assets42,268 45,551 
Loss on sale or disposal of property assets1,067 278 
Amortization of intangibles810 237 
Amortization of financing fees1,186 2,574 
Write-off of debt financing fees— 2,168 
Deferred income taxes4,383 16,629 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquired assets
Rental merchandise(435,722)(387,098)
Receivables(2,465)(11,891)
Prepaid expenses and other assets5,871 10,080 
Operating lease right-of-use assets and lease liabilities(536)5,305 
Accounts payable – trade8,184 (8,796)
Accrued liabilities27,987 (51,341)
Net cash provided by operating activities296,226 228,129 
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of property assets(22,557)(12,010)
Proceeds from sale of property assets196 16,922 
Hurricane insurance recovery proceeds158 995 
Acquisitions of businesses(700)(28,722)
Net cash used in investing activities(22,903)(22,815)
Cash flows from financing activities
Share repurchases(26,572)— 
Exercise of stock options5,737 5,813 
Shares withheld for payment of employee tax withholdings(5,270)(1,733)
Debt issuance costs— (8,454)
Proceeds from debt198,000 285,400 
Repayments of debt(239,500)(568,140)
Dividends paid(47,329)— 
Net cash used in financing activities(114,934)(287,114)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash(1,485)91 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents156,904 (81,709)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period70,494 155,391 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$227,398 $73,682 
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

6
RENT-A-CENTER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

Note 1 - Basis of Presentation
The interim condensed consolidated financial statements of Rent-A-Center, Inc. included herein have been prepared by us pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the SEC’s rules and regulations, although we believe the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. We suggest these financial statements be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019. In our opinion, the accompanying unaudited interim financial statements contain all adjustments, consisting only of those of a normal recurring nature, necessary to present fairly our results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. The results of operations for the periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.
COVID-19
During the first quarter of 2020, the respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) began to spread worldwide causing the World Health Organization to declare the outbreak a pandemic, and resulting in significant disruptions to the U.S. and world economies. In response to the issuance of U.S. federal guidelines to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus, state and local jurisdictions implemented various containment measures, including temporary shelter-in-place orders and closure of non-essential businesses. The effects of these containment measures negatively impacted our operations resulting in the temporary or partial closure of certain locations in all of our U.S. operating segments during the first half of 2020. In addition, certain of our Mexico locations were also temporarily closed in accordance with jurisdictional ordinances issued in Mexico. In response to these restrictions and negative impacts to our operations, we implemented certain measures to reduce operating expenses and cash flow uses in order to mitigate these effects. In addition, we implemented additional electronic payment methods for our Rent-A-Center Business and Preferred Lease customers.
While the pandemic is ongoing and uncertainties remain that may not allow us to accurately predict the full impact that COVID-19 will ultimately have on our business, all locations in our Rent-A-Center Business, Franchising and Mexico operating segments, and staffed Preferred Lease locations temporarily or partially closed at the onset of the pandemic, were reopened in the second quarter of 2020 and continue to remain fully operational.
Use of Estimates
In preparing financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, we are required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent losses and liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. In applying accounting principles, we must often make individual estimates and assumptions regarding expected outcomes or uncertainties. Our estimates, judgments and assumptions are continually evaluated based on available information and experience. However, uncertainties, including future unknown impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, may affect certain estimates and assumptions inherent in the financial reporting process, which may impact reported amounts of assets and liabilities in future periods and cause actual results to differ from those estimates.
Principles of Consolidation and Nature of Operations
These financial statements included herein include the accounts of Rent-A-Center, Inc. and its direct and indirect subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Unless the context indicates otherwise, references to “Rent-A-Center” refer only to Rent-A-Center, Inc., the parent, and references to the "Company", “we,” “us” and “our” refer to the consolidated business operations of Rent-A-Center and any or all of its direct and indirect subsidiaries. We report four operating segments: Rent-A-Center Business, Preferred Lease, Mexico and Franchising.
Our Rent-A-Center Business segment consists of company-owned lease-to-own stores in the United States and Puerto Rico that lease household durable goods to customers on a lease-to-own basis. We also offer merchandise on an installment sales basis in certain of our stores under the names “Get It Now” and “Home Choice.” Our Rent-A-Center Business segment operates through our company-owned stores and e-commerce platform through rentacenter.com.
Our Preferred Lease segment, which operates in the United States and Puerto Rico, and includes the operations of Merchants Preferred (as defined in Note 2 below) acquired in August 2019, generally offers the lease-to-own transaction to consumers who do not qualify for financing from the traditional retailer through kiosks located within such retailer's locations, including staffed options, unstaffed or virtual options, or a combination of the two (the hybrid model). The hybrid model can be staffed by a Preferred Lease employee (staffed locations) or employ a virtual solution where customers, either directly or with the

7
RENT-A-CENTER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(Unaudited)
assistance of a representative of the third-party retailer, initiate the lease-to-own transaction online in the retailers' locations using our virtual solutions (virtual locations).
Our Mexico segment consists of our company-owned lease-to-own stores in Mexico that lease household durable goods to customers on a lease-to-own basis.
Rent-A-Center Franchising International, Inc., an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Rent-A-Center, is a franchisor of lease-to-own stores. Our Franchising segment’s primary source of revenue is the sale of rental merchandise to its franchisees, who in turn offer the merchandise to the general public for rent or purchase under a lease-to-own transaction. The balance of our Franchising segment’s revenue is generated primarily from royalties based on franchisees’ monthly gross revenues.
Newly Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which requires immediate recognition of estimated current expected credit losses, rather than recognition when incurred. We adopted ASU 2016-13 and all related amendments, including ASU 2020-02 and ASU 2020-03, beginning January 1, 2020, using a modified retrospective approach. Under such approach, we recognized a cumulative-effect of the guidance as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings for the quarter ended March 31, 2020. The application of this new methodology is limited to our installment notes receivables and trade receivables with our franchisees, primarily related to merchandise sales. The comparative information has not been restated and continues to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for periods ending prior to January 1, 2020.
The cumulative effect as of January 1, 2020 resulting from the adoption of ASU 2016-13 and related amendments was a net decrease to opening retained earnings in our condensed consolidated balance sheet of $0.8 million. See Note 4 for additional information regarding our trade and note receivables and related allowances for doubtful accounts.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment, which simplifies the subsequent measurement of goodwill by eliminating the hypothetical purchase price allocation and instead using the difference between the carrying amount and the fair value of the reporting unit. We adopted ASU 2017-04 beginning January 1, 2020, using a prospective approach. There was no impact on our financial statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 resulting from the adoption of this ASU.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement, which removes, modifies, and adds certain disclosure requirements in ASC 820, to improve the effectiveness of the fair value measurement disclosures. We adopted ASU 2018-13 beginning January 1, 2020, using a prospective approach. There was no impact on our financial statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 resulting from the adoption of this ASU.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40); Customer's Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement, which requires implementation costs incurred by customers in cloud computing arrangements to be deferred and recognized over the term of the arrangement, if those costs would be capitalized by the customer in a software licensing agreement under the internal-use software guidance in ASC 350-40. We adopted ASU 2018-15 beginning January 1, 2020, using a prospective approach. Following our adoption of this ASU, deferred implementation costs related to cloud computing arrangements are recorded to prepaid expenses and other assets in our condensed consolidated balance sheet and subsequently amortized to other store expenses in our condensed consolidated statement of operations. Impacts to our financial statements resulting from the adoption of this ASU were immaterial to our financial statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2020.
Note 2 - Acquisitions and Store Sales
On August 13, 2019, we completed the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of C/C Financial Corp. dba Merchants Preferred ("Merchants Preferred"), a nationwide provider of virtual lease-to-own services. The aggregate purchase price was approximately $46.4 million, including net cash consideration of approximately $28.0 million, and 701,918 shares of our common stock valued at $27.31 per share, as of the date of closing, less working capital adjustments of approximately $0.9 million.

8
RENT-A-CENTER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(Unaudited)
Assets acquired and liabilities assumed in connection with the acquisition have been recorded at their fair values. The following table provides the final estimated fair values of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date:
(in thousands)August 13, 2019
Receivables$1,813 
Prepaid expenses and other assets154 
Rental merchandise17,904 
Software4,300 
Right of use operating leases404 
Other intangible assets8,900 
Goodwill13,403 
Lease liabilities(487)
Net identifiable assets acquired$46,391 
The fair value measurements were primarily based on significant unobservable inputs (level 3) developed using company-specific information. Certain fair value estimates were determined based on an independent valuation of the net assets acquired, including identifiable intangible assets, relating to dealer relationships of $8.9 million, and software of $4.3 million. The fair value for dealer relationships and software were estimated using common industry valuation methods for similar asset types, based primarily on cost inputs and projected cash flows. The dealer relationships and software assets were both assigned remaining lives of 10 years.
In addition, we recorded goodwill of $13.4 million, which consists of the excess of the net purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired. The goodwill is not deductible for tax purposes.
California Refranchise Sale
On July 22, 2020, we entered into an asset purchase agreement to sell all 99 Rent-A-Center Business corporate stores in the state of California to an experienced franchisee. The sale was consummated on October 5, 2020 for cash consideration of approximately $16 million, including approximately $1 million paid for related franchise fees. In accordance with the criteria included in US GAAP, assets sold in connection with the sale were classified as assets held for sale and reported at their net book value as of September 30, 2020, including idle and on-rent inventory of approximately $31.1 million and property assets of approximately $0.8 million.
Note 3 - Revenues
The following table disaggregates our revenue for the periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019:
 Three Months Ended September 30, 2020
 
Rent-A-Center Business
Preferred LeaseMexicoFranchisingConsolidated
(In thousands)
Store
Rentals and fees$414,798 $153,306 $11,469 $— $579,573 
Merchandise sales42,459 48,096 678 — 91,233 
Installment sales16,580 — — — 16,580 
Other386 257 12 189 844 
Total store revenues474,223 201,659 12,159 189 688,230 
Franchise
Merchandise sales— — — 19,069 19,069 
Royalty income and fees— — — 4,716 4,716 
Total revenues$474,223 $201,659 $12,159 $23,974 $712,015 


9
RENT-A-CENTER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(Unaudited)
 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020
 
Rent-A-Center Business
Preferred LeaseMexicoFranchisingConsolidated
(In thousands)
Store
Rentals and fees$1,193,301 $454,744 $34,265 $— $1,682,310 
Merchandise sales144,887 153,774 2,032 — 300,693 
Installment sales48,970 — — — 48,970 
Other1,222 511 19 589 2,341 
Total store revenues1,388,380 609,029 36,316 589 2,034,314 
Franchise
Merchandise sales— — — 49,553 49,553 
Royalty income and fees— — — 13,833 13,833 
Total revenues$1,388,380 $609,029 $36,316 $63,975 $2,097,700 

 Three Months Ended September 30, 2019
 
Rent-A-Center Business
Preferred LeaseMexicoFranchisingConsolidated
(In thousands)
Store
Rentals and fees$389,421 $148,711 $12,663 $— $550,795 
Merchandise sales29,185 35,667 700 — 65,552 
Installment sales16,952 — — — 16,952 
Other939 108 7 — 1,054 
Total store revenues436,497 184,486 13,370 — 634,353 
Franchise
Merchandise sales— — — 11,178 11,178 
Royalty income and fees— — — 3,840 3,840 
Total revenues$436,497 $184,486 $13,370 $15,018 $649,371 

 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019
 
Rent-A-Center Business
Preferred LeaseMexicoFranchisingConsolidated
(In thousands)
Store
Rentals and fees$1,196,800 $431,008 $38,021 $— $1,665,829 
Merchandise sales112,678 125,963 2,223 — 240,864 
Installment sales49,658 — — — 49,658 
Other2,514 426 22 — 2,962 
Total store revenues1,361,650 557,397 40,266 — 1,959,313 
Franchise
Merchandise sales— — — 30,307 30,307 
Royalty income and fees— — — 12,370 12,370 
Total revenues$1,361,650 $557,397 $40,266 $42,677 $2,001,990 
Rental-Purchase Agreements
Rent-A-Center Business, Preferred Lease, and Mexico
Rentals and Fees. Rental merchandise is leased to customers pursuant to rental purchase agreements, which provide for weekly, semi-monthly or monthly rental terms with non-refundable rental payments. At the expiration of each rental term, customers

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(Unaudited)
may renew the rental agreement for the next rental term. Generally, the customer has the right to acquire title of the merchandise either through a purchase option or through payment of all required rental terms. Customers can terminate the rental agreement at the end of any rental term without penalty. Therefore, rental transactions are accounted for as operating leases.
Rental payments received at our Rent-A-Center Business, Preferred Lease (excluding virtual) and Mexico locations must be prepaid in advance of the next rental term. Under the virtual business model, revenues are earned prior to the rental payment due date. Therefore, virtual business revenue is accrued prior to receipt of the rental payment, net of estimated returns and uncollectible renewal payments. Under both models, rental revenue is recognized over the rental term. See Note 4 for additional information regarding accrued rental revenue and the related allowances for returns and uncollectible payments.
Cash received for rental payments, including fees, prior to the period in which it should be recognized, is deferred and recognized according to the rental term. At September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, we had $41.9 million and $39.9 million, respectively, in deferred revenue included in accrued liabilities related to our rental purchase agreements. Revenue related to various payment, reinstatement or late fees is recognized when paid by the customer at the point service is provided. Rental merchandise is depreciated using the income forecasting method and is recognized in cost of sales over the rental term.
We also offer additional product plans along with our rental agreements which provide customers with liability protection against significant damage or loss of a product, and club membership benefits, including various discount programs, product service and replacement benefits in the event merchandise is damaged or lost, and payment insurance in the event eligible customers become unemployed. Customers renew product plans in conjunction with their rental term renewals, and can cancel the plans at any time. Revenue for product plans is recognized over the term of the plan. Costs incurred related to product plans are primarily recognized in cost of sales.
Revenue from contracts with customers
Rent-A-Center Business, Preferred Lease, and Mexico
Merchandise Sales. Merchandise sales include payments received for the exercise of the early purchase option offered through our rental purchase agreements or merchandise sold through point of sale transactions. Revenue for merchandise sales is recognized when payment is received and ownership of the merchandise passes to the customer. The remaining net value of merchandise sold is recorded to cost of sales at the time of the transaction.
Installment Sales. Revenue from the sale of merchandise in our retail installment stores is recognized when the installment note is signed and control of the merchandise has passed to the customer. The cost of merchandise sold through installment agreements is recognized in cost of sales at the time of the transaction. We offer extended service plans with our installment agreements which are administered by third parties and provide customers with product service maintenance beyond the term of the installment agreement. Payments received for extended service plans are deferred and recognized, net of related costs, when the installment payment plan is complete and the service plan goes into effect. Customers can cancel extended service plans at any time during the installment agreement period and receive a refund for payments previously made towards the plan. At September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, we had $3.0 million and $2.9 million in deferred revenue included in accrued liabilities related to extended service plans.
Other. Other revenue primarily consists of other miscellaneous product plans offered to our rental and installment customers. Revenue for other product plans is recognized in accordance with the terms of the applicable plan agreement.
Franchising
Merchandise Sales. Revenue from the sale of rental merchandise is recognized upon shipment of the merchandise to the franchisee.
Royalty Income and Fees. Franchise royalties, including franchisee contributions to corporate advertising funds, represent sales-based royalties calculated as a percentage of gross rental payments and sales. Royalty revenue is accrued and recognized as rental payments and merchandise sales occur. Franchise fees are initial fees charged to franchisees for new or converted franchise stores. Franchise fee revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the franchise agreement. At September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, we had $4.2 million and $4.5 million, respectively, in deferred revenue included in accrued liabilities related to franchise fees.

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(Unaudited)
Note 4 - Receivables and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Installment sales receivables consist primarily of receivables due from customers for the sale of merchandise in our retail installment stores. Installment sales receivable associated with the sale of merchandise at our Get It Now and Home Choice stores generally consist of the sales price of the merchandise purchased and any additional fees for services the customer has chosen, less the customer’s down payment. No interest is accrued and interest income is recognized each time a customer makes a payment, generally on a monthly basis. Interest paid on installment agreements for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was $8.5 million.
Trade and notes receivables consist primarily of amounts owed from our franchisees for inventory purchases, earned royalties and other obligations; and other corporate related receivables. Credit is extended based on an evaluation of a franchisee’s financial condition and collateral is generally not required. Trade receivables are generally due within 30 days.
Receivables consist of the following:
(In thousands)September 30, 2020December 31, 2019
Installment sales receivables$57,939 $56,370 
Trade and notes receivables25,448 33,354 
Total receivables83,387 89,724 
Less allowance for doubtful accounts(7,916)(5,601)
Total receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts$75,471 $84,123 
We have established an allowance for doubtful accounts for our installment notes receivable. Our policy for determining the allowance is primarily based on historical loss experience, as well as the results of management’s review and analysis of the payment and collection of the installment notes receivable within the previous year. We believe our allowance is adequate to absorb all expected losses. Our policy is to charge off installment notes receivable that are 120 days or more past due. Charge-offs are applied as a reduction to the allowance for doubtful accounts and any recoveries of previously charged off balances are applied as an increase to the allowance for doubtful accounts.
The allowance for our Franchising trade and note receivables is determined by considering a number of factors, including the length of time receivables are past due, previous loss history, the franchisee’s current ability to pay its obligation, and the condition of the general economy and the industry as a whole. Trade receivables that are more than 90 days past due are either written-off or fully reserved in our allowance for doubtful accounts. Payments subsequently received on such receivables are credited to the allowance for doubtful accounts.
The allowance for doubtful accounts related to trade and notes receivable was $0.9 million and $1.5 million at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. The allowance for doubtful accounts related to installment sales receivable was $7.0 million and $4.1 million at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.
Changes in our allowance for doubtful accounts are as follows: 
(In thousands)September 30, 2020
Beginning allowance for doubtful accounts$5,601 
Bad debt expense (1)
10,959 
Accounts written off(9,141)
Recoveries497 
 Ending allowance for doubtful accounts$7,916 
(1) Uncollectible installment payments, franchisee obligations, and other corporate receivables are recognized in other store operating expenses in our condensed consolidated financial statements.
Note 5 - Leases
We lease space for all of our Rent-A-Center Business and Mexico stores under operating leases expiring at various times through 2027. In addition, we lease space for certain support facilities under operating leases expiring at various times through 2032. Most of our store leases are five-year leases and contain renewal options for additional periods ranging from three to five years at rental rates adjusted according to agreed formulas. We evaluate all leases to determine if it is likely that we will exercise future renewal options and in most cases we are not reasonably certain of exercise due to competing market rental rates and lack of significant penalty or business disruption incurred by not exercising the renewal options. We include month-to-month leases in operating lease right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities in our condensed consolidated balance sheet. In

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(Unaudited)
certain situations involving the sale of a Rent-A-Center Business corporate store to a franchisee, we enter into a lease assignment agreement with the buyer, but we remain the primary obligor under the original lease for the remaining active term. These assignments are therefore classified as subleases and the original lease is included in our operating lease right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities in our condensed consolidated balance sheet.
We lease vehicles for all of our Rent-A-Center Business stores under operating leases with lease terms expiring twelve months after the start date of the lease. We classify these leases as short-term and have elected the short-term lease exemption for our vehicle leases, and have therefore excluded them from our operating lease right-of-use assets within our condensed consolidated balance sheet. We also lease vehicles for all of our Mexico stores which have terms expiring at various times through 2022 with rental rates adjusted periodically for inflation. Finally, we have a minimal number of equipment leases, primarily related to temporary storage containers and certain back office technology hardware assets.
For all of the leases described above, we have elected not to separate the lease and non-lease components and account for these as a single component. We have also elected to use the practical expedients that remove the requirement to reassess whether expired or existing contracts contain leases and the requirement to reassess the lease classification for any existing leases prior to our adoption of ASU 2016-02.
Operating lease right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities are discounted using our incremental borrowing rate, since the implicit rate is not readily determinable. We do not currently have any financing leases.
Operating lease costs are recorded on a straight-line basis within other store expenses in our condensed consolidated statements of operations.
Total operating lease costs by expense type:
Three Months EndedNine Months Ended
(in thousands)September 30, 2020September 30, 2019September 30, 2020September 30, 2019
Operating lease cost included in other store expenses(1)
$34,682 $36,441 $106,559 $111,226 
Operating lease cost included in other charges121 2,933 1,081 10,185 
Sublease receipts(2,180)(2,065)(6,641)(5,559)
Total operating lease charges $32,623 $37,309 $100,999 $115,852 
(1) Includes short-term lease costs, which are not significant.
Supplemental cash flow information related to leases:
Nine Months Ended
(in thousands)September 30, 2020September 30, 2019
Cash paid for amounts included in measurement of operating lease liabilities$85,794 $91,235 
Cash paid for short-term operating leases not included in operating lease liabilities17,466 21,247 
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities74,095 36,371 
Weighted-average discount rate and weighted-average remaining lease term:
(in thousands)September 30, 2020December 31, 2019
Weighted-average discount rate(1)
7.0 %7.7 %
Weighted-average remaining lease term (in years)44
(1) January 1, 2019 incremental borrowing rate was used for leases in existence at the time of adoption of ASU 2016-02.

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RENT-A-CENTER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(Unaudited)
Reconciliation of undiscounted operating lease liabilities to the present value operating lease liabilities at September 30, 2020:
(In thousands)Operating Leases
2020$29,607 
2021101,986 
202273,861 
202348,490 
202431,687 
Thereafter34,289 
Total undiscounted operating lease liabilities319,920 
Less: Interest(36,136)
Total present value of operating lease liabilities$283,784 
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and related government restrictions negatively impacting our operations, we renegotiated certain store lease agreements in the second quarter to obtain rent relief in the near term, in order to help offset the negative financial impacts of COVID-19. As of September 30, 2020, we have renegotiated approximately 500 lease agreements, receiving near term rent abatements of approximately $2.3 million and rent deferrals of approximately $2.2 million. On April 10, 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") staff issued a question-and-answer document providing guidance for lease concessions provided to lessees in response to the effects of COVID-19. Such guidance allows lessees to make an election not to evaluate whether a lease concession provided by a lessor should be accounted for as a lease modification in the event the concession does not result in a substantial increase in the rights of the lessor or the obligations of the lessee. We elected this practical expedient in our accounting for any lease concessions provided in connection with our renegotiated lease agreements that did not result in a substantial increase in the rights of or obligations to the lessor. As a result of this election, we recognized rent abatement credits of approximately $0.8 million for the nine-months ended September 30, 2020 in our condensed consolidated statement of operations.
Note 6 - Income Taxes
On March 27, 2020, the U.S. government enacted the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the "CARES Act”), which includes modifications to the limitation on business interest expense deductions and net operating loss provisions. The effective tax rate was 11.4% for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared to 17.2% in 2019, primarily as a result of the tax benefit of net operating loss carrybacks at a 35% tax rate that became available as a result of the CARES Act.
Note 7 - Senior Debt, net
On August 5, 2019, we entered into a new Term Loan Credit Agreement (the “Term Loan Credit Agreement”) providing for a seven-year $200 million senior secured term loan facility and an Asset Based Loan Credit Agreement (the “ABL Credit Agreement”) providing a five-year asset-based revolving credit facility (the “ABL Credit Facility”) with commitments of up to $300 million, the proceeds of which were used for the redemption of all of our outstanding senior notes.
The amount outstanding under the Term Loan Credit Agreement was $198.0 million at September 30, 2020. We had no amounts outstanding under our ABL Credit Agreement at September 30, 2020 and had $209.3 million available.
Proceeds from the Term Loan Credit Agreement were net of original issue discount of $2.0 million upon issuance from the lenders. In addition, in connection with the closing of the Term Loan Credit Agreement and the ABL Credit Agreement, we incurred approximately $6.3 million in debt issuance costs. The original issue discount and debt issuance costs will be amortized over the remaining terms of the respective credit agreements. As of September 30, 2020, the total unamortized balance of debt issuance costs relating to our senior debt and original issue discount reported in the condensed consolidated balance sheet were $5.7 million and $1.7 million, respectively.
We also utilize the ABL Credit Facility for the issuance of letters of credit. As of September 30, 2020, we have issued letters of credit in the aggregate outstanding amount of $90.7 million primarily relating to workers compensation insurance claims.
Term Loan Credit Agreement
The Term Loan Credit Agreement, which matures on August 5, 2026, amortizes in equal quarterly installments at a rate of 1.00% per annum of the original principal amount thereof, with the remaining balance due at final maturity. Interest on the Term Loan Credit Agreement will accrue at the Eurodollar rate plus an applicable margin equal to 4.50%. The margin on the Term Loan Credit Agreement was 4.69% at September 30, 2020.

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(Unaudited)
The Term Loan Credit Agreement permits us to prepay the term loans, in whole or in part, without penalty on or after the six-month anniversary of the closing date of the Term Loan Credit Agreement. It also permits us to incur incremental term loans in an aggregate amount equal to $150 million plus the amount of voluntary prepayments of the term loans and an unlimited amount subject to a pro forma consolidated senior secured leverage ratio of not greater than 2.00 to 1.00, subject to certain other conditions.
The obligations under the Term Loan Credit Agreement are guaranteed by certain of our subsidiaries. The Term Loan Credit Agreement and the guarantees are secured on a first-priority basis by substantially all of our tangible and intangible assets, other than collateral subject to a first-priority lien under the ABL Credit Agreement, consisting of, among other things, accounts receivable, inventory and bank accounts (and funds on deposit therein), in which the Term Loan Credit Agreement and the guarantees have a second-priority security interest, in each case, subject to certain exceptions.
The Term Loan Credit Agreement contains covenants that are usual and customary for facilities and transactions of this type and that, among other things, restrict our ability to:
•create certain liens and enter into certain sale and lease-back transactions;
•create, assume, incur or guarantee certain indebtedness;
•consolidate or merge with, or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of our assets, to another person
•pay dividends or make other distributions on, or repurchase or redeem, our capital stock or certain other debt; and
•make other restricted payments.
These covenants are subject to a number of limitations and exceptions set forth in the Term Loan Credit Agreement. We are currently permitted to pay dividends and repurchase our common stock without limitation.
The Term Loan Credit Agreement provides for customary events of default, including, but not limited to, failure to pay principal and interest, failure to comply with covenants, agreements or conditions, and certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency.
ABL Credit Agreement
The ABL Credit Facility will mature on August 5, 2024. The Borrowers (as defined in the ABL Credit Agreement) may borrow only up to the lesser of the level of the then-current Borrowing Base and the committed maximum borrowing capacity of $300 million. The Borrowing Base is tied to the Eligible Installment Sales Accounts, Inventory and Eligible Rental Contracts, reduced by Reserves, as defined in the ABL Credit Agreement. We provide to the Agent information necessary to calculate the Borrowing Base within 30 days of the end of each calendar month, unless liquidity is less than 15% of the maximum borrowing capacity of the ABL Credit Agreement or $45 million, in which case we must provide weekly information.
Interest is payable on the ABL Credit Facility at a fluctuating rate of interest determined by reference to the Eurodollar rate plus an applicable margin of 1.50% to 2.00%. The margin on the ABL Credit Facility was 1.69% at September 30, 2020. A commitment fee equal to 0.250% to 0.375% of the unused portion of the ABL Credit Facility fluctuates dependent upon average utilization for the prior month as defined by a pricing grid included in the ABL Credit Agreement. The commitment fee at September 30, 2020 was 0.375%. We paid $0.6 million of commitment fees during the third quarter of 2020.
Letters of credit are limited to the lesser of (x) $150 million, subject to certain limitations, and (y) the aggregate unused availability then in effect.
Subject to certain conditions, the ABL Credit Facility may be expanded by up to $100 million in additional commitments, subject to a pro forma fixed charge coverage ratio being greater than 1.10 to 1.00.
The obligations under the ABL Credit Agreement are guaranteed by us and certain of our subsidiaries. The ABL Credit Agreement and the guarantees are secured on a first-priority basis on all our and the guarantors’ accounts receivable, inventory and bank accounts (and funds on deposit therein) and a second-priority basis on all of the tangible and intangible assets (second in priority to the liens securing the Term Loan Credit Agreement) of such persons, in each case, subject to certain exceptions.
The ABL Credit Agreement contains covenants that are usual and customary for facilities and transactions of this type and are substantially the same as covenants in the Term Loan Credit Agreement. The ABL Credit Facility also requires the maintenance of a Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (as defined in the ABL Credit Agreement) of 1.10 to 1.00 at the end of each fiscal quarter when either (i) certain specified events of default have occurred and are continuing or (ii) availability is less than or equal to the greater of $33.75 million and 15% of the line cap then in effect. The Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio as of September 30, 2020 was 1.58 to 1.00.

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RENT-A-CENTER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(Unaudited)
The ABL Credit Agreement provides for customary events of default that are substantially the same as events of default in the Term Loan Credit Agreement.
The table below shows the scheduled maturity dates of our outstanding debt at September 30, 2020 for each of the years ending December 31: 
(in thousands)Term LoanABL Credit FacilityTotal
2020$500 $— $500 
20212,000 — 2,000 
20222,000 — 2,000 
20232,000 — 2,000 
20242,000 — 2,000 
Thereafter189,500 — 189,500 
Total senior debt$198,000 $— $198,000 

Note 8 - Fair Value
We follow a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which classifies the inputs used in measuring fair values, in determining the fair value of our non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities, which consist primarily of goodwill. These tiers include: Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets; Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions. There were no changes in the methods and assumptions used in measuring fair value during the period.
Our financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, receivables, payables, and borrowings against our ABL Credit Facility and Term Loan Facility. The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, receivables and payables approximates fair value at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, because of the short maturities of these instruments. In addition, the interest rates on our Term Loan Facility and ABL Credit Facility are variable and, therefore, the carrying value of outstanding borrowings approximates their fair value.
Note 9 - Other Charges
Store Consolidations. During the first nine months of 2020, we closed 25 Rent-A-Center Business stores, resulting in pre-tax charges of $1.2 million in other miscellaneous shutdown and holding costs, $0.4 million in lease impairment charges, and $0.1 million in disposal of fixed assets. During the first nine months of 2019, we closed 83 Rent-A-Center Business stores, resulting in pre-tax charges of $3.1 million in lease impairment, $1.7 million in other miscellaneous shutdown and holding costs, $0.8 million in disposal of fixed assets, and $0.4 million in severance and other payroll-related costs.
Cost Savings Initiatives. During 2018, we began the execution of multiple cost savings initiatives, including reductions in overhead and supply chain operations. In connection with these initiatives, we recorded pre-tax charges during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 consisting of $1.1 million in severance and other payroll-related costs, $0.4 million in lease impairment charges, and $0.4 million in other miscellaneous shutdown and holding costs. Costs incurred during the first nine months of 2019 related to these initiatives included pre-tax charges of $4.7 million in lease impairment charges, $2.8 million in severance and other payroll-related costs, $2.2 million in other miscellaneous shutdown and holding costs, and $0.4 million in disposal of fixed assets.
COVID-19 Pandemic. In March 2020, national efforts to contain the COVID-19 virus began to be implemented. In connection with COVID-19, during the first nine months of 2020, we incurred approximately $1.0 million in sanitization cleaning and personal protective equipment expenses, $0.4 million in payroll-related costs, and $0.2 million in lease expense related to closed stores and idled vehicles, partially offset by real estate lease abatement credits of $0.8 million for our Rent-A-Center Business stores.
Social Unrest. During the second quarter of 2020, we incurred expenses resulting from certain civil unrest that occurred in connection with efforts to institute law enforcement and other social and political reforms. In connection with this unrest, approximately 30 Rent-A-Center Business stores were looted and/or damaged, resulting in $0.7 million of inventory write-offs and $0.1 million in disposal of fixed assets during the first nine months of 2020.

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RENT-A-CENTER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(Unaudited)
Activity with respect to other charges for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 is summarized in the below table:
(in thousands)
 Accrued Charges at December 31, 2019
Charges & AdjustmentsPayments & Adjustments
 Accrued Charges at September 30, 2020
Cash charges:
Labor costs$738 $1,610 $(1,450)$898 
Lease obligations(1)
— (645)645 — 
Shutdown and holding costs— 1,573 (1,573)— 
Total cash charges$738 2,538 $(2,378)$898 
Non-cash charges:
Rental merchandise losses(2)
721 
Asset impairments(3)
1,376 
Other(4)
3,133 
Total other charges$7,768 
(1) Includes lease abatement credits related to renegotiated lease agreements in response to COVID-19.
(2) Reflects losses due to looting.
(3) Asset impairments primarily includes impairments of operating lease right-of-use assets and other property assets related to the closure of Rent-A-Center Business stores and previously closed product service centers, damage related to looting, as well as a write-down of capitalized software in the first nine months of 2020.
(4) Other primarily includes legal settlement reserves, state tax audit assessment reserves, expenses related to COVID-19, partially offset by proceeds received from the sale of a class action claim and insurance proceeds related to Hurricane Maria in 2017.
Note 10 - Segment Information
The operating segments reported below are the segments for which separate financial information is available and for which segment results are evaluated by the chief operating decision makers. Our operating segments are organized based on factors including, but not limited to, type of business transactions, geographic location and store ownership. All operating segments offer merchandise from certain basic product categories: furniture, consumer electronics, appliances, computers, and accessories. Smartphones are also offered in our Rent-A-Center Business stores and franchise locations. In addition, in the Rent-A-Center Business segment, we have recently expanded into other product categories including, tires, tools, handbags, jewelry and other accessories.
Segment information for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 is as follows: 
Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands)2020201920202019
Revenues
Rent-A-Center Business
$474,223 $436,497 $1,388,380 $1,361,650 
Preferred Lease201,659 184,486 609,029 557,397 
Mexico12,159 13,370 36,316 40,266 
Franchising23,974 15,018 63,975 42,677 
Total revenues$712,015 $649,371 $2,097,700 $2,001,990 

Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands)2020201920202019
Gross profit
Rent-A-Center Business$332,742 $306,881 $966,347 $945,392 
Preferred Lease78,727 80,113 238,433 246,821 
Mexico8,655 9,286 25,615 27,966 
Franchising4,904 3,716 14,343 12,754 
Total gross profit$425,028 $399,996 $1,244,738 $1,232,933 


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RENT-A-CENTER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands)2020201920202019
Operating profit
Rent-A-Center Business$99,950 $52,175 $253,025 $170,411 
Preferred Lease16,073 21,830 40,528 66,077 
Mexico1,724 1,213 3,743 3,906 
Franchising3,146 1,135 8,694 4,716 
Total segments120,893 76,353 305,990 245,110 
Corporate(40,706)(37,506)(123,293)(59,085)
Total operating profit$80,187 $38,847 $182,697 $186,025 

Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands)2020201920202019
Depreciation and amortization
Rent-A-Center Business$4,926 $5,037 $14,759 $15,619 
Preferred Lease541 379 1,542 1,040 
Mexico104 82 292 317 
Franchising15 3 28 42 
Total segments5,586 5,501 16,621 17,018 
Corporate8,224 9,393 26,450 28,770 
Total depreciation and amortization
$13,810 $14,894 $43,071 $45,788 

Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands)2020201920202019
Capital expenditures
Rent-A-Center Business$5,721 $4,129 $10,205 $5,594 
Preferred Lease20 24 106 125 
Mexico116 35 205 65 
Total segments5,857 4,188 10,516 5,784 
Corporate1,950 2,734 12,041 6,226 
Total capital expenditures$7,807 $6,922 $22,557 $12,010 

(in thousands)September 30, 2020December 31, 2019
On rent rental merchandise, net
Rent-A-Center Business$417,212 $411,482 
Preferred Lease249,266 268,845 
Mexico14,477 16,943 
Total on rent rental merchandise, net$680,955 $697,270 

(in thousands)September 30, 2020December 31, 2019
Held for rent rental merchandise, net
Rent-A-Center Business$112,176 $131,086 
Preferred Lease1,969 1,254 
Mexico5,758 6,078 
Total held for rent rental merchandise, net$119,903 $138,418 


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RENT-A-CENTER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)September 30, 2020December 31, 2019
Assets by segment
Rent-A-Center Business$916,894 $953,151 
Preferred Lease337,752 357,859 
Mexico33,957 33,707 
Franchising12,044 11,095 
Total segments1,300,647 1,355,812 
Corporate366,918 226,986 
Total assets$1,667,565 $1,582,798 

Note 11 - Common Stock and Stock-Based Compensation
In March 2020, our Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program with respect to the purchase of up to an aggregate of $75 million of Rent-A-Center common stock, superseding our prior authorization. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company repurchased 1,463,377 shares of our common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $26.6 million, which includes shares having aggregate purchase price of $10.0 million that were purchased under a former repurchase program that was previously authorized by our Board of Directors. No shares were repurchased during the nine months ended September 30, 2019. Under the March 2020 authorization, $58.4 million remains available for repurchases in the open market and privately negotiated transactions.
We recognized $3.0 million and $2.0 million in compensation expense related to stock options and restricted stock units during the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and $8.9 million and $4.6 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, we granted approximately 390,000 stock options, 400,000 market-based performance restricted stock units and 192,000 time-vesting restricted stock units. The stock options granted were valued using a Black-Scholes pricing model with the following assumptions: an expected volatility of 45.62% to 54.72%, a risk-free interest rate of 0.22% to 1.72%, an expected dividend yield of 4.02% to 8.20%, and an expected term of 3.50 to 5.75 years. The weighted-average exercise price of the options granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was $24.47 and the weighted-average grant-date fair value was $6.94. Performance-based restricted stock units are valued using a Monte Carlo simulation. Time-vesting restricted stock units are valued using the closing price on the trading day immediately preceding the day of the grant. The weighted-average grant date fair value of the market-based performance and time-vesting restricted stock units granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was $29.05 and $25.06, respectively.
Note 12 - Contingencies
From time to time, we are a party to various legal proceedings and governmental inquiries arising in the ordinary course of business. We reserve for loss contingencies that are both probable and reasonably estimable. We regularly monitor developments related to these legal proceedings and inquiries, and review the adequacy of our legal reserves on a quarterly basis. We do not expect these losses to have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements if and when such losses are incurred. Nevertheless, we cannot predict the impact of future developments affecting our claims and lawsuits, and any resolution of a claim or lawsuit or reserve within a particular fiscal period may materially and adversely impact our results of operations for that period.
We are subject to unclaimed property audits by states in the ordinary course of business. The property subject to review in the audit process include unclaimed wages, vendor payments and customer refunds. State escheat laws generally require entities to report and remit abandoned and unclaimed property to the state. Failure to timely report and remit the property can result in assessments that could include interest and penalties, in addition to the payment of the escheat liability itself. We routinely remit escheat payments to states in compliance with applicable escheat laws.
California Attorney General. The California Attorney General (“CAG”) previously issued an investigative subpoena seeking information with respect to our Acceptance Now business practices (now part of the Preferred Lease segment). The request for documents and information was sought in connection with a broader investigation of the lease-to-own industry in California. Since receiving such demand, we have cooperated with the CAG in connection with its investigation and made several productions of requested documents. In March 2020, the CAG put forth proposed settlement terms to address alleged violations of California law. After several rounds of negotiations, in September 2020, the CAG proposed revised terms. In both cases, the proposed settlement terms include civil penalties, disgorgement of certain revenues, additional training requirements, and recommended changes to Acceptance Now business practices. We believe that our business practices are in compliance with

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RENT-A-CENTER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(Unaudited)
California law and are continuing to discuss resolution of the inquiry with the CAG. At this point, while we cannot predict the ultimate outcome, we do not believe any such outcome will have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.
Note 13 - Earnings Per Common Share
Summarized basic and diluted earnings per common share were calculated as follows:
 Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands, except per share data)2020201920202019
Numerator:
Net earnings$64,030 $31,277 $151,815 $133,055 
Denominator:
Weighted-average shares outstanding53,985 54,487 54,186 54,190 
Effect of dilutive stock awards1,621 1,571 1,476 1,563 
Weighted-average dilutive shares55,606 56,058 55,662 55,753 
Basic earnings per common share$1.19 $0.57 $2.80 $2.46 
Diluted earnings per common share$1.15 $0.56 $2.73 $2.39 
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from diluted loss per common share:
Anti-dilutive performance share units— 260 324 260 
Anti-dilutive stock options907 974 1,238 1,047 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q includes “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They often include words such as “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “intends,” “plans,” “seeks” or words of similar meaning, or future or conditional verbs, such as “will,” “should,” “could,” “may,” “aims,” “intends,” or “projects” and includes statements regarding the potential effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, operations, financial performance and prospects. A forward-looking statement is neither a prediction nor a guarantee of future events or circumstances, and those future events or circumstances may not occur. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. These forward-looking statements are based on currently available operating, financial and competitive information and are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Our actual future results and trends may differ materially and adversely depending on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, the risks and uncertainties discussed under “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” Given these risks and uncertainties, you should not rely on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results. Any or all of the forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and any other public statement made by us, including by our management, may turn out to be incorrect. We are including this cautionary note to make applicable and take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 for forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, we expressly disclaim any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions or otherwise. Factors that could cause or contribute to these differences include, but are not limited to:
•the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and related government and regulatory restrictions issued to combat the pandemic, including adverse changes in such restrictions, and impacts on (i) demand for our lease-to-own products offered in our operating segments, (ii) our Preferred Lease retail partners, (iii) our customers and their willingness and ability to satisfy their lease obligations, (iv) our supplier's ability to satisfy our merchandise needs, (v) our coworkers, including our ability to adequately staff our operating locations, (vi) our financial and operational performance, and (vii) our liquidity;
•the general strength of the economy and other economic conditions affecting consumer preferences and spending;
•factors affecting the disposable income available to our current and potential customers;
•changes in the unemployment rate;
•capital market conditions, including availability of funding sources for us;
•changes in our credit ratings;
•difficulties encountered in improving the financial and operational performance of our business segments;
•risks associated with pricing changes and strategies being deployed in our businesses;
•our ability to continue to realize benefits from our initiatives regarding cost-savings and other EBITDA enhancements, efficiencies and working capital improvements;
•our ability to continue to effectively execute our strategic initiatives, including mitigating risks associated with any potential mergers and acquisitions, or refranchising opportunities;
•failure to manage our store labor and other store expenses, including merchandise losses;
•disruptions caused by the operation of our store information management systems;
•risks related to our virtual lease-to-own business, including our ability to continue to develop and successfully implement the necessary technologies;
•our ability to achieve the benefits expected from our integrated retail partner offering, Preferred Lease, including our ability to integrate our historic, retail partner business (Acceptance Now) and the Merchants Preferred business under the Preferred Lease offering and to successfully grow this business segment;
•exposure to potential operating margin degradation due to the higher cost of merchandise in our Preferred Lease offering and potential for higher merchandise losses;
•our transition to more-readily scalable "cloud-based" solutions;
•our ability to develop and successfully implement digital or E-commerce capabilities, including mobile applications;
•our ability to protect our proprietary intellectual property;
•disruptions in our supply chain;

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•limitations of, or disruptions in, our distribution network;
•rapid inflation or deflation in the prices of our products;
•our ability to execute and the effectiveness of store consolidations, including our ability to retain the revenue from customer accounts merged into another store location as a result of a store consolidation;
•our available cash flow and our ability to generate sufficient cash flow to continue paying dividends;
•increased competition from traditional competitors, virtual lease-to-own competitors, online retailers and other competitors, including subprime lenders;
•our ability to identify and successfully market products and services that appeal to our current and future targeted customer segments;
•consumer preferences and perceptions of our brands;
•our ability to retain the revenue associated with acquired customer accounts and enhance the performance of acquired stores;
•our ability to enter into new and collect on our rental or lease purchase agreements;
•changes in the enforcement of existing laws and regulations and the enactment of new laws and regulations adversely affecting our business, including any legislative or regulatory enforcement efforts that seek to re-characterize store-based or virtual lease-to-own transactions as credit sales and to apply consumer credit laws and regulations to our business;
•our compliance with applicable statutes or regulations governing our businesses;
•the impact of any additional social unrest such as that experienced in 2020 or otherwise, and resulting damage to our inventory or other assets and potential lost revenues;
•changes in interest rates;
•changes in tariff policies;
•adverse changes in the economic conditions of the industries, countries or markets that we serve;
•information technology and data security costs;
•the impact of any breaches in data security or other disturbances to our information technology and other networks and our ability to protect the integrity and security of individually identifiable data of our customers and employees;
•changes in estimates relating to self-insurance liabilities and income tax and litigation reserves;
•changes in our effective tax rate;
•fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates;
•our ability to maintain an effective system of internal controls;
•litigation or administrative proceedings to which we are or may be a party to from time to time; and
•the other risks detailed from time to time in our reports furnished or filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Additional important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from our expectations are discussed under the section “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 and in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, and elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Our Business
We are an industry leading omni-channel lease-to-own provider for the credit-constrained customer. We focus on improving the quality of life for our customers by providing access and the opportunity to obtain ownership of high-quality, durable products via small payments over time under a flexible lease-purchase agreement and no long-term debt obligation. Preferred Lease provides virtual and staffed lease-to-own solutions to retail partners in stores and online enabling our partners to grow sales by expanding their customer base utilizing our differentiated offering. We were incorporated in the State of Delaware in 1986, and our common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the ticker symbol "RCII."
Our Strategy
Our strategy is focused on growing our business model through emphasis on the following key initiatives:
•continuing positive trends in our Rent-A-Center Business segment driven by accelerating e-commerce momentum, expanding product categories, and improving the customer experience;

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•generating favorable adjusted EBITDA margins and strong free cash flow to fund strategic priorities and return capital to shareholders; and
•executing on large market opportunities using a virtual platform via our Preferred Lease offering and e-commerce.
As we pursue our strategy, we may take advantage of merger and acquisition opportunities from time to time that advance our key initiatives, and engage in discussions regarding these opportunities, which could include mergers, consolidations or acquisitions or dispositions or other transactions, although there can be no assurance that any such activities will be consummated.
Recent Developments
California Refranchise Sale. On July 22, 2020, we entered into an asset purchase agreement to sell all 99 Rent-A-Center Business corporate stores in the state of California to an experienced franchisee. The sale was consummated on October 5, 2020 for cash consideration of approximately $16 million, including approximately $1 million paid for related franchise fees. In accordance with the criteria provided by US GAAP, assets sold in connection with the sale were classified as assets held for sale and reported at their net book value as of September 30, 2020, including idle and on-rent inventory of approximately $31.1 million and property assets of approximately $0.8 million.
COVID-19 Pandemic. Beginning in the latter half of March 2020, the worldwide spread of the respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) caused significant disruptions to the U.S. and world economies. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a worldwide pandemic. On March 13, 2020, President Trump declared a national state of emergency for the United States. In response to the issuance of U.S. federal guidelines to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus, U.S. state and local jurisdictions implemented various containment or mitigation measures, including temporary shelter-in-place orders and the temporary closure of non-essential businesses.
See "Trends and Uncertainties - COVID-19 Pandemic" below, and "Risk Factors" in Part II, Item 1A of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020 for an additional discussion of operational impacts to our business and additional risks associated with COVID-19.
Results of Operations
The following discussion focuses on our results of operations and our liquidity and capital resources. You should read this discussion in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the three months ended September 30, 2020 included in Part I, Item I of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Trends and Uncertainties
COVID-19 Pandemic
As a result of COVID-19 and related jurisdictional ordinances implemented in the United States beginning in the latter half of March 2020 to contain the spread of COVID-19 or mitigate its effects, a significant number of Preferred Lease retail partner locations were temporarily closed, resulting in the initial closure of approximately 65% of our staffed Preferred Lease locations, which operated within those stores. In addition, with respect to our Rent-A-Center Business, we temporarily shut down operations at a small number of stores and partially closed approximately 24% of stores. Our partially closed locations operated with closed showrooms, conducting business only through e-commerce web orders. Franchise locations and stores in our Mexico operating segment were also temporarily closed due to COVID-19. Since the onset of the pandemic, the jurisdictional ordinances directly impacting our operations have been withdrawn and, as of the date hereof, all of our staffed Preferred Lease locations and physical locations of our Rent-A-Center Business, Mexico and Franchising operating segments are fully operational.
In response to the negative impacts to our business resulting from COVID-19, we proactively implemented certain measures to reduce operating expenses and cash flow uses, including implementing temporary executive pay reductions, temporarily furloughing certain employees at our store locations and corporate headquarters, reducing store hours in certain locations, renegotiating real estate leases, reducing inventory purchases and capital expenditures, and, for a brief period of time, suspending further share repurchases. Nonetheless, there are no assurances we will not be subject to future government actions negatively impacting our business as the pandemic progresses. However, while we may also be impacted by deteriorating worldwide economic conditions, including elevated unemployment rates throughout the United States, which could have a sustained impact on discretionary consumer spending, the lease-to-own industry is resilient because it provides credit constrained customers with a viable option to obtain merchandise they may not otherwise be able to obtain through other retailers offering financing options.

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Virtual Business Model
On August 13, 2019, we completed the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of C/C Financial Corp. dba Merchants Preferred ("Merchants Preferred"), a nationwide provider of virtual lease-to-own services, accelerating our growth in the virtual lease-to-own industry. In January 2020, we announced plans for our new integrated retail partner offering under Preferred Lease, which combines our staffed and virtual lease-to-own business models to meet the needs and expectations of both our customers and retail partners. While we believe the acquisition of the Merchants Preferred virtual business model and rollout of our Preferred Lease integrated offering positions us for significant revenue and earnings growth, we are exposed to potential operating margin degradation due to the higher cost of merchandise in our retail partner business and potential for higher merchandise losses.
Cost Savings Initiatives
In 2018, we initiated and executed multiple cost savings initiatives, resulting in reductions in overhead and supply chain costs. While these initiatives have led to significant decreases in operating expenses and corresponding improvement in operating profit on a year-over-year basis in our 2018 and 2019 results of operations, we do not expect to continue to realize cost reduction benefits in future periods at the same annualized rate as past periods.
Overview
The following briefly summarizes certain of our financial information for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2019.
During the first nine months of 2020, consolidated revenues increased approximately $95.7 million, primarily due to increases in same store sales in our Rent-A-Center Business and Mexico operating segments, and implementation and expansion of the Preferred Lease virtual solution following the acquisition of Merchants Preferred in August 2019, partially offset by store closures and refranchising of approximately 33 Rent-A-Center Business corporate stores since September 30, 2019. Operating profit decreased approximately $3.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, primarily due to our receipt during the second quarter of 2019 of $92.5 million in settlement of litigation relating to our termination of the merger agreement by and among Vintage Rodeo Parent, LLC, Vintage Rodeo Acquisition, Inc. and Rent-A-Center, Inc., of which we retained net pre-tax proceeds of approximately $80 million following payment of all remaining costs, fees and expenses relating to the termination (the "Vintage Settlement Proceeds"), partially offset by decreases in labor in 2020, due to previous store closures and refranchise sales, in addition to temporary furloughs in response to COVID-19.
Revenues in our Rent-A-Center Business segment increased approximately $26.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, driven primarily by an increase in same store sales resulting from by higher merchandise sales and growth in e-commerce sales. Gross profit as a percentage of revenue increased 0.2%. Operating profit increased $82.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, primarily driven by decreased labor and operating expenses.
The Preferred Lease segment revenues increased approximately $51.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, primarily due to the implementation and growth of the Preferred Lease virtual solution following the acquisition of Merchants Preferred in August 2019, despite negative impacts related to the temporary closure of stores due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Gross profit as a percent of revenue decreased 5.2% and operating profit decreased approximately $25.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 primarily due to a higher number of early payouts, higher merchandise losses primarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and investments to support the growth of the business.
The Mexico segment revenues decreased by 9.8% for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, driving a decrease in gross profit of 8.4%, or $2.4 million.
Revenues for the Franchising segment increased $21.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, primarily due to higher store count resulting from the refranchising of Rent-A-Center Business corporate stores during the previous twelve months, as described above, and higher inventory purchases by our franchisees.
Cash flow from operations was $296.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. As of September 30, 2020, we held $227.4 million of cash and cash equivalents and outstanding indebtedness of $198.0 million.

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The following table is a reference for the discussion that follows.
Three Months EndedNine Months Ended
September 30,ChangeSeptember 30,Change
(dollar amounts in thousands)20202019$%20202019$%
Revenues
Store
Rentals and fees$579,573 $550,795 $28,778 5.2 %$1,682,310 $1,665,829 $16,481 1.0 %
Merchandise sales91,233 65,552 25,681 39.2 %300,693 240,864 59,829 24.8 %
Installment sales16,580 16,952 (372)(2.2)%48,970 49,658 (688)(1.4)%
Other844 1,054 (210)(19.9)%2,341 2,962 (621)(21.0)%
Total store revenue688,230 634,353 53,877 8.5 %2,034,314 1,959,313 75,001 3.8 %
Franchise
Merchandise sales19,069 11,178 7,891 70.6 %49,553 30,307 19,246 63.5 %
Royalty income and fees4,716 3,840 876 22.8 %13,833 12,370 1,463 11.8 %
Total revenues712,015 649,371 62,644 9.6 %2,097,700 2,001,990 95,710 4.8 %
Cost of revenues
Store
Cost of rentals and fees167,027 161,971 5,056 3.1 %489,606 473,001 16,605 3.5 %
Cost of merchandise sold95,177 70,575 24,602 34.9 %296,894 250,000 46,894 18.8 %
Cost of installment sales5,713 5,527 186 3.4 %16,830 16,133 697 4.3 %
Total cost of store revenues267,917 238,073 29,844 12.5 %803,330 739,134 64,196 8.7 %
Franchise cost of merchandise sold19,070 11,302 7,768 68.7 %49,632 29,923 19,709 65.9 %
Total cost of revenues286,987 249,375 37,612 15.1 %852,962 769,057 83,905 10.9 %
Gross profit425,028 399,996 25,032 6.3 %1,244,738 1,232,933 11,805 1.0 %
Operating expenses
Store expenses
Labor150,493 158,666 (8,173)(5.2)%434,216 473,221 (39,005)(8.2)%
Other store expenses140,818 150,366 (9,548)(6.3)%463,292 463,385 (93)— %
General and administrative expenses41,576 34,364 7,212 21.0 %113,694 105,822 7,872 7.4 %
Depreciation and amortization13,810 14,894 (1,084)(7.3)%43,071 45,788 (2,717)(5.9)%
Other (gains) and charges(1,856)2,859 (4,715)(164.9)%7,768 (41,308)49,076 118.8 %
Total operating expenses344,841 361,149 (16,308)(4.5)%1,062,041 1,046,908 15,133 1.4 %
Operating profit80,187 38,847 41,340 106.4 %182,697 186,025 (3,328)(1.8)%
Debt refinancing charges— 2,168 (2,168)(100.0)%— 2,168 (2,168)(100.0)%
Interest, net3,198 6,648 (3,450)(51.9)%11,397 23,258 (11,861)(51.0)%
Earnings before income taxes76,989 30,031 46,958 156.4 %171,300 160,599 10,701 6.7 %
Income tax expense (benefit)12,959 (1,246)14,205 1,140.0 %19,485 27,544 (8,059)(29.3)%
Net earnings$64,030 $31,277 $32,753 104.7 %$151,815 $133,055 $18,760 14.1 %

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Three Months Ended September 30, 2020, compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2019
Store Revenue. Total store revenue increased by $53.8 million, or 8.5%, to $688.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020, from $634.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019. This increase was primarily due to increases of approximately $37.7 million and $17.2 million in revenues in the Rent-A-Center Business and Preferred Lease segments, respectively, as discussed further in the section "Segment Performance" below.
Cost of Rentals and Fees. Cost of rentals and fees consists primarily of depreciation of rental merchandise. Cost of rentals and fees for the three months ended September 30, 2020, increased by $5.0 million, or 3.1%, to $167.0 million as compared to $162.0 million in 2019. This increase in cost of rentals and fees was primarily attributable to an increase of $5.1 million in the Rent-A-Center Business segment. Cost of rentals and fees expressed as a percentage of rentals and fees revenue was 28.8% for the three months ended September 30, 2020, as compared to 29.4% in 2019.
Cost of Merchandise Sold. Cost of merchandise sold increased by $24.6 million, or 34.9%, to $95.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020, from $70.6 million in 2019, primarily attributable to increases of $18.1 and $6.6 million in the Preferred Lease and Rent-A-Center Business segments, respectively, as discussed further in the section "Segment Performance" below. The gross margin percent of merchandise sales increased to (4.3)% for the three months ended September 30, 2020, from (7.7)% in 2019.
Gross Profit. Gross profit increased by $25.0 million, or 6.3%, to $425.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020, from $400.0 million in 2019, due primarily to an increase of $25.9 million in the Rent-A-Center Business segment, as discussed further in the section "Segment Performance" below. Gross profit as a percentage of total revenue decreased to 59.7% for the three months ended September 30, 2020, as compared to 61.6% in 2019.
Store Labor. Store labor decreased by $8.2 million, or 5.2%, to $150.5 million, for the three months ended September 30, 2020, as compared to $158.7 million in 2019, primarily due to decreases of $4.2 million and $3.7 million in the Rent-A-Center Business and Preferred Lease segments, respectively, primarily as a result of a lower store base and a higher mix of virtual locations. Store labor expressed as a percentage of total store revenue was 21.9% for the three months ended September 30, 2020, as compared to 25.0% in 2019.
Other Store Expenses. Other store expenses decreased by $9.6 million, or 6.3%, to $140.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020, as compared to $150.4 million in 2019, primarily due to a decrease of $15.4 million in the Rent-A-Center Business segment, partially offset by an increase of $6.5 million in the Preferred Lease segment, as discussed further in the section "Segment Performance" below. Other store expenses expressed as a percentage of total store revenue were 20.5% for the three months ended September 30, 2020, compared to 23.7% in 2019.
General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses increased by $7.2 million, or 21.0%, to $41.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020, as compared to $34.4 million in 2019, primarily due to higher incentive compensation expenses. General and administrative expenses expressed as a percentage of total revenue were 5.8% for the three months ended September 30, 2020, compared to 5.3% in 2019.
Other (Gains) and Charges. Other (gains) and charges decreased by $4.8 million, to $(1.9) million for the three months ended September 30, 2020, as compared to $2.9 million in 2019. Other gains for the three months ended September 30, 2020 primarily related to proceeds from the sale of a class action claim, partially offset by asset impairments, store closure impacts, and cost savings initiatives. Other charges for the three months ended September 30, 2019 primarily related to store closures, the associated Vintage merger termination legal and professional fees, and cost savings initiatives.
Operating Profit. Operating profit increased by $41.4 million, to $80.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020, as compared to $38.8 million in 2019, primarily due to the increase in gross profit and decreases in store labor and other store expenses, in each case as described above. Operating profit expressed as a percentage of total revenue was 11.3% for the three months ended September 30, 2020, compared to 6.0% in 2019.
Income Tax Expense (Benefit). Income tax expense (benefit) for the three months ended September 30, 2020 was $13.0 million, as compared to $(1.2) million in 2019. The effective tax rate was 16.8% for the three months ended September 30, 2020, compared to (4.2)% in 2019.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020, compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019
Store Revenue. Total store revenue increased by $75.0 million, or 3.8%, to $2,034.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, from $1,959.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. This increase was

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primarily due to increases of approximately $51.6 million and $26.7 million in the Preferred Lease and Rent-A-Center Business segments, respectively, as discussed further in the section "Segment Performance" below.
Cost of Rentals and Fees. Cost of rentals and fees consists primarily of depreciation of rental merchandise. Cost of rentals and fees for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, increased by $16.6 million, or 3.5%, to $489.6 million as compared to $473.0 million in 2019. This increase in cost of rentals and fees was primarily attributable to an increase of $20.8 million in the Preferred Lease segment, partially offset by a decrease of $2.9 million in the Rent-A-Center Business segment. Cost of rentals and fees expressed as a percentage of rentals and fees revenue increased to 29.1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to 28.4% in 2019.
Cost of Merchandise Sold. Cost of merchandise sold increased by $46.9 million, or 18.8%, to $296.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, from $250.0 million in 2019, primarily attributable to increases of $39.2 million and $7.9 million in the Preferred Lease and Rent-A-Center Business segments, respectively, as discussed further in the section "Segment Performance" below. The gross margin percent of merchandise sales increased to 1.3% for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, from (3.8)% in 2019.
Gross Profit. Gross profit increased by $11.8 million, or 1.0%, to $1,244.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, from $1,232.9 million in 2019, due primarily to an increase of $21.0 million in the Rent-A-Center Business segment, partially offset by a decrease of $8.4 million in the Preferred Lease segment, as discussed further in the section "Segment Performance" below. Gross profit as a percentage of total revenue decreased to 59.3% for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, as compared to 61.6% in 2019.
Store Labor. Store labor decreased by $39.0 million, or 8.2%, to $434.2 million, for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, as compared to $473.2 million in 2019, primarily attributable to decreases of $20.6 million and $17.8 million in the Rent-A-Center Business and Preferred Lease segments, respectively, as discussed further in the section "Segment Performance" below. Store labor expressed as a percentage of total store revenue was 21.3% for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, as compared to 24.2% in 2019.
Other Store Expenses. Other store expenses decreased by $0.1 million, to $463.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, as compared to $463.4 million in 2019, primarily attributable to decreases of $29.3 million and $1.7 million in the Rent-A-Center Business and Mexico segments, respectively, partially offset by an increase of $31.2 million in the Preferred Lease segment, as discussed further in the section "Segment Performance" below. Other store expenses expressed as a percentage of total store revenue were 22.8% for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared to 23.7% in 2019.
General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses increased by $7.9 million, or 7.4%, to $113.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, as compared to $105.8 million in 2019. General and administrative expenses expressed as a percentage of total revenue were 5.4% for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared to 5.3% in 2019.
Other (Gains) and Charges. Other (gains) and charges increased by $49.1 million, to $7.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, as compared to $(41.3) million in 2019. Other charges for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 primarily related to legal settlement and state sales tax assessment reserves, cost savings initiatives, inventory losses resulting from damage related to looting, employee payroll and sanitation costs in connection with COVID-19, store closure impacts, and asset disposals, partially offset by proceeds from the sale of a legal antitrust claim, rent abatements, and insurance proceeds related to hurricane Maria in 2017. Other gains for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 primarily related to the Vintage Settlement Proceeds, and insurance proceeds related to the 2017 hurricanes, partially offset by the Blair class action settlement costs, associated Vintage merger termination legal and professional fees, store closures, state tax audit assessments, and cost savings initiatives
Operating Profit. Operating profit decreased by $3.3 million, to $182.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, as compared to $186.0 million in 2019, primarily due to an increase in other (gains) and charges driven by the Vintage termination settlement received in 2019 documented above, partially offset by the increase in gross profit, as described above. Operating profit expressed as a percentage of total revenue was 8.7% for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared to 9.3% in 2019. Excluding other (gains) and charges, operating profit was $190.5 million, or 9.1% of revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared to $144.7 million, or 7.2% of revenue for the comparable period of 2019.
Income Tax Expense. Income tax expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was $19.5 million, as compared to $27.5 million in 2019. The effective tax rate was 11.4% for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared to 17.2% in 2019. The decrease in income tax expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to 2019 was primarily related to the tax benefit of net operating loss carrybacks at a 35% tax rate as a result of changes from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, enacted on March 27, 2020 (the "CARES Act").

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Segment Performance
Rent-A-Center Business segment
Three Months EndedNine Months Ended
September 30,ChangeSeptember 30,Change
(dollar amounts in thousands)20202019$%20202019$%
Revenues$474,223 $436,497 $37,726 8.6 %$1,388,380 $1,361,650 $26,730 2.0 %
Gross profit332,742 306,881 25,861 8.4 %966,347 945,392 20,955 2.2 %
Operating profit99,950 52,175 47,775 91.6 %253,025 170,411 82,614 48.5 %
Change in same store revenue
12.9 %7.3 %
Stores in same store revenue calculation(1)
1,5441,611
(1) Same store sales generally represents revenue earned in stores that were operated by us for 13 months or more and are reported on a constant currency basis as a percentage of total revenue earned in stores of the segment during the indicated period. We exclude from the same store sales base any store that receives a certain level of customer accounts from closed stores or acquisitions. The receiving store will be eligible for inclusion in the same store sales base in the 24th full month following account transfer. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and related temporary store closures, all 32 stores in Puerto Rico were excluded starting in March 2020 and will remain excluded through September 2021.
Revenues. The increase in revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 was driven primarily by an increase in same store sales resulting from higher merchandise sales and growth in e-commerce sales, which were positively impacted by government stimulus and supplemental unemployment benefits issued by the federal government in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, as compared to 2019, partially offset by decreases in revenue due to our refranchising efforts and the rationalization of our Rent-A-Center Business store base.
Gross Profit. Gross profit increased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, as compared to 2019, primarily due to the increases in revenue described above, partially offset by increases in the cost of merchandise sold. Gross profit as a percentage of segment revenues was 70.2% and 69.6% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, as compared to 70.3% and 69.4% for the respective periods in 2019.
Operating Profit. Operating profit as a percentage of segment revenues was 21.1% and 18.2% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared to 12.0% and 12.5% for the respective periods in 2019. The increase in operating profit for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, as compared to 2019 was partially due to the increase in gross profit described above, in addition to decreases in store labor and other store expenses. Declines in store labor and other store expenses were driven primarily by lower store count and a decrease in customer stolen merchandise. Charge-offs in our Rent-A-Center Business lease-to-own stores due to customer stolen merchandise, expressed as a percentage of Rent-A-Center Business lease-to-own revenues, were approximately 2.0% and 3.2% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared to 4.1% and 3.7% for the respective periods in 2019. Charge-offs in our Rent-A-Center Business lease-to-own stores due to other merchandise losses, expressed as a percentage of Rent-A-Center Business lease-to-own revenues, were approximately 1.4% for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared to 1.4% and 1.3% for the respective periods in 2019. Other merchandise losses include unrepairable and missing merchandise, and loss/damage waiver claims.
Preferred Lease segment
Three Months EndedNine Months Ended
September 30,ChangeSeptember 30,Change
(dollar amounts in thousands)20202019$%20202019$%
Revenues$201,659 $184,486 $17,173 9.3 %$609,029 $557,397 $51,632 9.3 %
Gross profit78,727 80,113 (1,386)(1.7)%238,433 246,821 (8,388)(3.4)%
Operating profit16,073 21,830 (5,757)(26.4)%40,528 66,077 (25,549)(38.7)%
Revenues. The increase in revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to 2019, was primarily due to the implementation and expansion of the Preferred Lease virtual solution following the acquisition of Merchants Preferred in August 2019.
Gross Profit. Gross profit decreased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared to 2019, primarily driven by a higher number of early payouts resulting from government stimulus and supplemental unemployment benefits issued by the federal government in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Gross profit as a percentage of segment revenues decreased to 39.0% and 39.1% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared to 43.4% and 44.3% for the respective periods in 2019.

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Operating Profit. Operating profit decreased by 26.4% and 38.7% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, as compared to 2019. The decreases in operating profit for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 were primarily due to increases in other store expenses. The increase in other store expenses was primarily due to higher merchandise losses, primarily related to COVID-19, a higher mix of virtual locations, and investments to support expected revenue growth. Charge-offs in our Preferred Lease locations due to customer stolen merchandise, expressed as a percentage of revenues, were approximately 11.3% and 13.9% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared to 8.9% and 9.5% for the respective periods in 2019. Charge-offs in our Preferred Lease locations due to other merchandise losses, expressed as a percentage of revenues, were approximately 0.5% and 0.4% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared to 0.5% and 0.3% in 2019. Operating profit as a percentage of segment revenues decreased to 8.0% and 6.7% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared to 11.8% and 11.9% for the respective periods in 2019.
Mexico segment
Three Months EndedNine Months Ended
September 30,ChangeSeptember 30,Change
(dollar amounts in thousands)20202019$%20202019$%
Revenues$12,159 $13,370 $(1,211)(9.1)%$36,316 $40,266 $(3,950)(9.8)%
Gross profit8,655 9,286 (631)(6.8)%25,615 27,966 (2,351)(8.4)%
Operating profit1,724 1,213 511 42.1 %3,743 3,906 (163)(4.2)%
Change in same store revenue
4.3 %3.2 %
Stores in same store revenue calculation(1)
115122 
1) Same store sales generally represents revenue earned in stores that were operated by us for 13 months or more and are reported on a constant currency basis as a percentage of total revenue earned in stores of the segment during the indicated period. We exclude from the same store sales base any store that receives a certain level of customer accounts from closed stores or acquisitions. The receiving store will be eligible for inclusion in the same store sales base in the 24th full month following account transfer.
Revenues. Revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 were negatively impacted by exchange rate fluctuations of approximately $1.7 million and $4.6 million as compared to the same periods in 2019. On a constant currency basis, revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 increased approximately $0.5 million and $0.6 million, compared to the same periods in 2019.
Gross Profit. Gross profit for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 was negatively impacted by exchange rate fluctuations of approximately $1.2 million and $3.2 million as compared to the same periods in 2019. On a constant currency basis, gross profit for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 increased by approximately $0.6 million and $0.8 million as compared to the same periods in 2019. Gross profit as a percentage of segment revenues was 71.2% and 70.5% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared to 69.5% for both of the respective periods in 2019.
Operating Profit. Operating profit for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 were each negatively impacted by exchange rate fluctuations of approximately $0.2 million and $0.4 million as compared to the same periods in 2019. Operating profit as a percentage of segment revenues increased to 14.2% and 10.3% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, from 9.1% and 9.7% for the respective periods in 2019.
Franchising segment
Three Months EndedNine Months Ended
September 30,ChangeSeptember 30,Change
(dollar amounts in thousands)20202019$%20202019$%
Revenues$23,974 $15,018 $8,956 59.6 %$63,975 $42,677 $21,298 49.9 %
Gross profit4,904 3,716 1,188 32.0 %14,343 12,754 1,589 12.5 %
Operating profit3,146 1,135 2,011 177.2 %8,694 4,716 3,978 84.4 %
Revenues. Revenues increased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the respective periods in 2019, primarily due to an increase in franchise locations as a result of refranchising Rent-A-Center Business corporate stores, and higher inventory purchases by our franchisees.
Gross Profit. Gross profit as a percentage of segment revenues decreased to 20.5% and 22.4% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, from 24.7% and 29.9% for the respective periods in 2019, primarily due to changes in our revenue mix of franchise royalties and fees and rental merchandise sales, related to the increase in franchise locations described above.

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Operating Profit. Operating profit as a percentage of segment revenues increased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 to 13.1% and 13.6%, compared to 7.6% and 11.1% for the respective periods in 2019, primarily due to a decrease in operating expenses.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Overview. For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, we generated $296.2 million in operating cash flow. We paid down $41.5 million of debt using cash generated from operations, and used cash in the amount of $47.3 million for dividends, $26.6 million for share repurchases, and $22.6 million for capital expenditures. We ended the third quarter of 2020 with $227.4 million of cash and cash equivalents and outstanding indebtedness of $198.0 million.
Analysis of Cash Flow. Cash provided by operating activities increased $68.1 million to $296.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, from $228.1 million in 2019. This increase was primarily attributable to a decrease in rental merchandise purchases during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019, receipt of our federal tax refund of approximately $30 million, and other net changes in operating assets and liabilities.
Cash used in investing activities was $22.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared to $22.8 million in 2019, a change of $0.1 million, primarily due to an increase in capital expenditures and lower proceeds from the sale of property assets, offset by cash consideration paid for the acquisition of Merchants Preferred in 2019.
Cash used in financing activities was $114.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared to $287.1 million in 2019, a decrease of $172.2 million, primarily due to a net decrease in debt repayments compared to debt proceeds of $241.2 million, partially offset by increases in dividends paid of $47.3 million, and share repurchases of $26.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020.
Liquidity Requirements. Our primary liquidity requirements are for rental merchandise purchases and other operating expenses. Other capital requirements include expenditures for property assets, including rental expense, debt service, and dividends. Historically, our primary source of liquidity has been cash provided by operations. Should we require additional funding sources, we maintain our ABL Credit Facility with commitments of up to $300 million, subject to the terms and availability of our ABL Credit Facility. We utilize our ABL Credit Facility for the issuance of letters of credit, as well as to manage normal fluctuations in operational cash flow caused by the timing of cash receipts. In March 2020, as a precautionary measure in response to negative impacts to our operations stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, we drew down approximately $118.0 million against our ABL Credit Facility to enhance our financial flexibility and increase our available cash on hand. With cash flow generated from operations, we repaid the full outstanding balance of approximately $163.0 million borrowed against our ABL Credit Facility in the second quarter of 2020, and had no outstanding borrowings as of September 30, 2020.
In response to the negative impacts to our business resulting from COVID-19, we proactively implemented certain measures to reduce operating expenses and cash flow uses, including implementing temporary executive pay reductions, temporarily furloughing certain employees at our store locations and corporate headquarters, reducing store hours in certain locations, renegotiating real estate leases, reducing inventory purchases and capital expenditures, and, for a brief period of time, suspending further share repurchases. In addition, we received approximately $30 million in federal tax refunds described above, including $12 million related to net operating loss carrybacks at a 35% tax rate in connection with the CARES Act, and expect to defer approximately $19 million in employer payroll taxes to future periods.
Taking into consideration our efforts to minimize expenses in response to COVID-19 and benefits from the CARES Act, and based on current assumptions and expectations, we believe the cash flow generated from operations and other sources of liquidity including availability under our ABL Credit Facility will be sufficient to fund our operations over the next 12 months.
At October 22, 2020, we had approximately $204.4 million in cash on hand and, at September 30, 2020, we had $209.3 million available under our ABL Credit Agreement. In addition, in September 2020, the Rent-A-Center Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.29 per share for the fourth quarter of 2020, which was paid on October 26, 2020 to stockholders of record at the close of business on October 7, 2020.
Deferred Taxes. Certain federal tax legislation enacted during the period 2009 to 2017 permitted bonus first-year depreciation deductions ranging from 50% to 100% of the adjusted basis of qualified property placed in service during such years. The depreciation benefits associated with these tax acts are now reversing. The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 ("PATH") extended the 50% bonus depreciation to 2015 and through September 26, 2017, when it was updated by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (“Tax Act”). The Tax Act allows 100% bonus depreciation for certain property placed in service between September 27, 2017 and December 31, 2022, at which point it will begin to phase out. The bonus depreciation provided by the Tax Act resulted in an estimated benefit of $194 million for us in 2019. We estimate the remaining tax deferral associated with

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bonus depreciation from the Tax Act was approximately $239 million at December 31, 2019, of which approximately 78%, or $189 million, will reverse in 2020, and the majority of the remainder will reverse between 2021 and 2022.
Merchandise Losses. Merchandise losses consist of the following:
 Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
 (in thousands)2020201920202019
Customer stolen merchandise (1)
$34,677 $37,110 $136,106 $110,299 
Other merchandise losses (2)
7,706 6,776 21,950 19,080 
Total merchandise losses$42,383 $43,886 $158,056 $129,379 
(1)Includes incremental losses related to COVID-19
(2)Other merchandise losses include unrepairable and missing merchandise, and loss/damage waiver claims.
Capital Expenditures. We make capital expenditures in order to maintain our existing operations, acquire new capital assets in new and acquired stores and invest in information technology. We spent $22.6 million and $12.0 million on capital expenditures during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Acquisitions and New Location Openings. During the first nine months of 2020, we acquired two rent-to-own store locations and customer accounts for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $0.7 million in two separate transactions. The store locations were closed upon acquisition and consolidated into existing store operations in our Rent-A-Center Business segment.
The table below summarizes the store location activity for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020 for our Rent-A-Center Business, Mexico and Franchising operating segments.
 Rent-A-Center BusinessMexicoFranchisingTotal
Locations at beginning of period1,973 123 372 2,468 
New location openings— — — — 
Conversions— — — — 
Closed locations
Merged with existing locations
(25)(2)— (27)
Sold or closed with no surviving location
(1)— (9)(10)
Locations at end of period1,947 121 363 2,431 

Senior Debt. As discussed in Note 7 to the condensed consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item I of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, in August 2019, we completed the refinancing of our prior revolving facility and, effective August 5, 2019, redeemed in full our unsecured senior notes using cash on hand and proceeds from our new $300 million ABL Credit Facility and $200 million from a new term loan under our ABL Credit Agreement. We may use, subject to certain limitations and borrowing availability, $150 million under our ABL Credit Agreement for the issuance of letters of credit, of which $90.7 million, primarily relating to workers compensation, had been so utilized as of October 22, 2020. The ABL Credit Agreement has a scheduled maturity date of August 5, 2024.
Store Leases. We lease space for all of our Rent-A-Center Business and Mexico stores under operating leases expiring at various times through 2027. In addition, we lease space for certain support facilities under operating leases expiring at various times through 2032. Most of our store leases are five-year leases and contain renewal options for additional periods ranging from three to five years at rental rates adjusted according to agreed formulas.

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Contractual Cash Commitments. The table below summarizes debt, lease and other minimum cash obligations outstanding as of September 30, 2020:
 Payments Due by Period
(in thousands)Total20202021-20222023-2024Thereafter
Term Loan(1)
$198,000 $500 $4,000 $4,000 $189,500 
ABL Credit Agreement(2)
— — — — — 
Operating Leases319,920 29,607 175,847 80,177 34,289 
Total(3)
$517,920 $30,107 $179,847 $84,177 $223,789 
(1)Does not include interest payments. Our Term Loan bears interest at varying rates equal to the Eurodollar rate plus 4.50%. The Eurodollar rate on our Term Loan at September 30, 2020, was 4.69%.
(2)Our ABL Credit Agreement bears interest at varying rates equal to the Eurodollar rate plus 1.50% to 2.00%. The weighted average Eurodollar rate on our ABL Credit Agreement at September 30, 2020, was 1.69%.
(3)As of September 30, 2020, we have recorded $24.1 million in uncertain tax positions. Because of the uncertainty of the amounts to be ultimately paid as well as the timing of such payments, uncertain tax positions are not reflected in the contractual obligations table.
Seasonality. Our revenue mix is moderately seasonal, with the first quarter of each fiscal year generally providing higher merchandise sales than any other quarter during a fiscal year. Generally, our customers will more frequently exercise the early purchase option on their existing rental purchase agreements or purchase pre-leased merchandise off the showroom floor during the first quarter of each fiscal year, primarily due to the receipt of federal income tax refunds. Furthermore, we tend to experience slower growth in the number of rental purchase agreements in the third quarter of each fiscal year when compared to other quarters throughout the year.
New Accounting Pronouncements
In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes, which is intended to simplify various aspects related to accounting for income taxes. The standard removes certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740 and also clarifies and amends existing guidance to improve consistent application. The adoption of ASU 2019-12 will be required for us beginning January 1, 2021. We do not believe this ASU will have a material impact on our financial statements upon adoption.
From time to time, new accounting pronouncements are issued by the FASB or other standards setting bodies that we adopt as of the specified effective date. Unless otherwise discussed, we believe the impact of any other recently issued standards that are not yet effective are either not applicable to us at this time or will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements upon adoption.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
Interest Rate Sensitivity
As of September 30, 2020, we had $198.0 million outstanding under our term loan credit agreement at interest rates indexed to the Eurodollar rate or the prime rate. Carrying value approximates fair value for this indebtedness.
Market Risk
Market risk is the potential change in an instrument’s value caused by fluctuations in interest rates. Our primary market risk exposure is fluctuations in interest rates. Monitoring and managing this risk is a continual process carried out by our senior management. We manage our market risk based on an ongoing assessment of trends in interest rates and economic developments, giving consideration to possible effects on both total return and reported earnings. As a result of such assessment, we may enter into swap contracts or other interest rate protection agreements from time to time to mitigate this risk.
Interest Rate Risk
We have outstanding debt with variable interest rates indexed to prime or Eurodollar rates that exposes us to the risk of increased interest costs if interest rates rise. As of September 30, 2020, we have not entered into any interest rate swap agreements. Based on our overall interest rate exposure at September 30, 2020, a hypothetical 1.0% increase or decrease in market interest rates would have the effect of causing an additional $2.0 million annualized pre-tax charge or credit to our consolidated statement of operations.

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Foreign Currency Translation
We are exposed to market risk from foreign exchange rate fluctuations of the Mexican peso to the U.S. dollar as the financial position and operating results of our stores in Mexico are translated into U.S. dollars for consolidation. Resulting translation adjustments are recorded as a separate component of stockholders’ equity.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures.
Disclosure controls and procedures. In accordance with Rule 13a-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, an evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a–15(e) and 15d–15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Based on this evaluation, our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, concluded that, as of September 30, 2020, our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a–15(e) and 15d–15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) were effective.
Changes in internal controls over financial reporting. For the quarter ended September 30, 2020, there have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that, in the aggregate, have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II – Other Information
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
California Attorney General. The California Attorney General (“CAG”) previously issued an investigative subpoena seeking information with respect to our Acceptance Now business practices (now part of the Preferred Lease segment). The request for documents and information was sought in connection with a broader investigation of the lease-to-own industry in California. Since receiving such demand, we have cooperated with the CAG in connection with its investigation and made several productions of requested documents. In March 2020, the CAG put forth proposed settlement terms to address alleged violations of California law. After several rounds of negotiations, in September 2020, the CAG proposed revised terms. In both cases, the proposed settlement terms include civil penalties, disgorgement of certain revenues, additional training requirements, and recommended changes to Acceptance Now business practices. We believe that our business practices are in compliance with California law and are continuing to discuss resolution of the inquiry with the CAG. At this point, while we cannot predict the ultimate outcome, we do not believe any such outcome will have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
There have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in Item 1A of Part 1, "Risk Factors" of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 and in Item 1A of Part II, "Risk Factors" of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
The following table presents information with respect to purchases of our common stock the Company made during the three months ended September 30, 2020:
PeriodTotal Number of Shares PurchasedAverage Price Paid per ShareTotal number of shares purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs
Maximum dollar value of shares that may yet be purchased under publicly
announced plans or
programs (in millions)
July 1, 2020 - September 30, 20202,200$27.89 2,200
(1)
$58.4
(1)
(1) Shares repurchased pursuant to the share repurchase program publicly announced on May 11, 2020 that allows for the repurchase of an aggregate of up to $75.0 million of shares of our common stock through open market and privately negotiated transactions from time to time.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.

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Item 5. Other Information
None.


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Item 6. Exhibits.
Exhibit No.Description
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
4.1
31.1*
31.2*
32.1*
32.2*
101.INS*XBRL Instance Document - The instance document does not appear in the interactive data files because its XBRL tags are embedded within the inline XBRL document
101.SCH*XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL*XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF*XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB*XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE*XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
104*Cover page Interactive Data File (embedded within the inline XBRL document contained in Exhibit 101)

*Filed herewith.


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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
RENT-A-CENTER, INC.
By:
/S/    MAUREEN B. SHORT      
 Maureen B. Short
 EVP, Chief Financial Officer
Date: October 30, 2020



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